How to Convert HEIC to JPG on Mac

Your iPhone stores photos as HEIC by default since iOS 11. If you try to upload one to a website or email it to a Windows user, compatibility becomes an issue. macOS can open HEIC natively, but converting to JPG for sharing takes 30 seconds with the right tool.

Method 1: Preview (zero setup)

macOS Preview handles HEIC directly:

1. Right-click HEIC file in Finder, select Open With > Preview.
2. File > Export As.
3. Change format dropdown from HEIC to JPG.
4. Click Save.

Takes 20 seconds per file. Best for one or two conversions.

Method 2: Automator Quick Action (batch)

Set this up once, then convert multiple files by right-clicking:

1. Open Automator > New Document > Quick Action.
2. Set "Workflow receives" to image files in Finder.
3. Search for "Change Type of Images" action, add it.
4. Set output type to JPEG.
5. Add "Move Finder Items" action, set destination to Desktop (or custom folder).
6. Save as "HEIC to JPG".

Select multiple HEIC files in Finder, right-click > Quick Actions > HEIC to JPG. All convert in batch.

Method 3: HEIC to JPG Converter Chrome extension

If you use multiple devices or need the same workflow on Windows:

1. Install the extension from Chrome Web Store.
2. Click toolbar icon, drag HEIC files into the drop zone.
3. Choose JPG quality, click Convert.
4. Download.

Works identically on Mac, Windows, Linux, and Chromebook. No server upload, no watermark.

Batch convert your entire iPhone backup

If you have hundreds of HEIC files from years of iPhone backups:

• For 1-10 files: Use Preview, takes 5 minutes.
• For 10-100 files: Use Automator Quick Action, takes 1 minute.
• For 100+ files: Use a desktop app or command line: sips -s format jpg *.heic --out converted/ on Terminal converts all HEIC files in current folder to a "converted" subfolder.

At-a-glance comparison

Frequently asked questions